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Bears Terminate Johnny Knox’s Contract

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 18: Johnny Knox #13 of the Chicago Bears is carted off the field after suffering an injury against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on December18, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)Johnny Knox is tended to by doctors after suffering a frightening spine injury against the Seattle Seahawks in December of 2011. He has yet to fully recover. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

(CBS) After having to sit out the entire 2012 season with a serious back injury, the Bears terminated the contract of Johnny Knox Tuesday.

Knox suffered the injury Dec. 18, 2011 against the Seahawks when he was hit awkwardly by linebacker Anthony Hargrove while diving for a football he fumbled after the catch. He was taken off the field on a backboard and underwent surgery that same day.

Knox spent most of 2012 around Halas Hall rehabbing, but he never got close to returning to the field it’s still unclear if he’ll ever play in the NFL again.

During his three years with the Bears, Knox started 27-of-45 games and caught 133 passes for 2,214 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was also a Pro-Bowler in 2009 as a returner.

The Bears originally drafted Knox in the fifth round of the 2009 draft out of Abilene Christian.